Whistler residents can learn more about wildfire resiliency in the resort through an upcoming two-day workshop hosted by the Cheakamus Community Forest and UBC Okanagan.
Titled Wildfire Resilience in Times of Uncertainty, the May 6 and 7 workshop features a keynote address by longtime park warden, resource manager and co-originator of the FireSmart Canada program Alan Westhaver, as well as talks by local professionals involved in wildfire management and UBC academics breaking new ground in wildfire research.
The workshop will kick off at 8:30 a.m. each day at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) and wrap in the early afternoon.
The event will also include a panel discussion on May 6 at the SLCC's Long House with Whistler fire practitioners discussing the past, present and future of wildfire risk reduction in Whistler and the CCF.
Presentations and discussions at the workshop will reflect on questions such as:
- What is uncertain in terms of how we manage landscapes that burn?
- What are the social, economic and political uncertainties surrounding wildfire management, and how do these intersect with the diverse and shifting expectations of different stakeholders and First Nations?
- What are some gaps in our knowledge of wildfires, and what sort of research and collaborations are needed to address these gaps?
- How might interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaborations help us grapple with uncertainty?
The public is encouraged to attend the daytime sessions as well as the panel discussion, and lunch is included. Admission is free but registration is required.
Follow this link to register.
